SILVER SPRING, MD – June 17, 2015 –Wholesale shipments of sports & fitness products increased by 3.5% in 2014, propelling the industry to total sales exceeding $84.2 billion, according to the latest State of the Industry Report published by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).

“In recent years, the industry has been concerned with business factors such as constrained spending, unemployment, and lack of consumer confidence,” said Tom Cove, SFIA’s President and CEO. “While those concerns are still present, our industry outpaced the GDP last year and we’re seeing a positive transition in consumer spending and wholesale orders in our categories.

The 2015 SFIA State of the Industry Report reveals that the bulk of consumer spending comes from active Americans who are looking to participate in new sports and fitness activities.

In addition to wholesale shipments, the 2015 SFIA State of the Industry also provides insights into participation, consumer spending, non-endemic investments, and current distribution trends.

"This is an interesting time to be operating in the sports and fitness space. It really feels like it could be a pivotal moment,” said Nate Heckman, Principal of Stitch Marketing. “Social and societal factors are heavily impacting which activities thrive and which struggle, and technology from inside and outside the industry is making sports and fitness more relevant and valued than ever. But at the same time we have a ways to go to close the divide between the most avid participants and the completely sedentary - a real dilemma for both business and community."

The 2015 SFIA State of the Industry Report is FREE as a member benefit to all SFIA members and $495 for non-members. The SFIA will also be hosting a 2015 State of the Industry Webinar, on June 25th at 2pm EST, featuring the SFIA’s Tom Cove, Stitch Market Research’s Nate Heckman, and Profitero’s Keith Anderson. The webinar is FREE to attend for all SFIA members and $149 for non-members. CLICK HERE for more information on the 2015 SFIA State of the Industry Report and to register for the June 25th webinar.